What's in a name? Not everybody is proud of their name and Stella is one of them. She has always introduced herself using her nickname. That's why when other people find out her real full name, they tend to be in awe or laugh, oftentimes the latter.
Bin was tasked to fix the campus ministry's database when he found out Stella's full first name--Mariestella Grace. "Grace ka pala?" sabi niya kay Stella.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang marinig niya 'yon kay Bin. Ang tanging nakakaalam ng buong pangalan niya ay ang leader niya. Napakamot na lang si Stella sa batok niya. Wala rin naman siyang magagawa ngayon na alam na ni Bin ang pangalan niya. Isa pa, hindi talaga maiiwasan na malaman nito ang pangalan niya kasi siya nga ang nag-aayos ng database.
Bumuntong-hininga na lang si Stella. "Secret lang ah?"
He looked at her baffled. "But why? Maganda naman ang pangalan mo ah."
Stella wasn't convinced. "Wala lang. Parang ang common kasi. Tapos pangmatanda." Nagkibit-balikat siya.
He smiled at her. "Do you even know what your name means?" Umiling si Stella. "You know what, grace is one of my favorite words from the Bible. Every time I read it, I'm reminded of the underserved favor God has given us when Jesus died on the cross for us."
Oo nga naman. She has been so familiar of her name that she forgot what it really meant in the first place. That day was the beginning of the time she started to embrace her own name.
Later that night, she even looked for the meaning of her name Mariestella. What comfort it brought her when she found out that it meant star of the sea, which is also used to describe Mary in the Bible. What a privilege to be named after a woman of faith.
Meanwhile, her name Grace reminded her that even if she grew up in a Christian family, she has fallen short of God's glory one way or another. But it has also became her reminder that she has been saved by grace alone, not by her good works. It's not her own doing.
Before she went to sleep, she composed a message to her parents. "Thank you for giving me a name that reminds me of how God loves me."
Character: Alliyah from License to Lab (MedTech on Duty, #5)
One week before Medical Technology Licensure Exam and Alliyah's brain is already all over the place. She and Jof has been exchanging recall questions and it's taking her more than a minute to answer.
Ever since college, Jof has been Alliyah's study buddy. He has helped her way more than he knows. She can't even imagine her college life without him. More than the support in academics, he has contributed to the emotional support she needed.
But right now, the extreme anxiety she's feeling cannot be calmed down by his mere presence. Nanghihina si Alliyah kahit na hindi na siya nag-aaral. Dahil wala na siyang magawa at mas lalong hindi na siya mapakali, she decided to take a walk around the campus alone.
Strangers and students are passing by without minding her slow-paced walk. She roamed her eyes around the building she passed as if it's her first time to see it.
One thing she realized while doing so: Her campus has brought so much memories, both good and bad. After her board exams, she won't be going back anymore. Yes, she may visit but she won't do such thing as often as she does now.
One of the things she appreciated about her campus is that it was always full of trees. Somehow, it helped her clear her mind every time she's feeling anxious of her studies.
At the middle of the botanical garden stands a tall narra tree with its drooping branches. This is Alliyah's favorite spot in the campus. When she doesn't want to talk to anyone, she sits under the shade of this tree.
As she sat there, she takes out her journal from her trusty tote bag and started to sort out her thoughts in a blank page. There she was brutally honest about how she was feeling about her board exams.
'Pakiramdam ko ang bobo ko. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin kong mag-exam. Nakakatakot bumagsak. Paano kung bumagsak ako? Anong gagawin ko sa buhay ko pagkatapos no'n? Wala naman akong balak maging doktor. Saan ako pupulutin kapag hindi ako nakapasa?'
And suddenly, she felt the wind blew on her face, a gentle and lowly one. Yes, her situation and circumstances didn't change, but the burden felt a lot lighter.
